Last-Minute Shopping Made Easy: What’s Open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
As the calendar flips from 2025 to 2026, millions of people across the U.S. are getting ready to celebrate, and for many of us, that also means scrambling for last-minute groceries, party supplies, or forgotten essentials. The good news is that New Year’s Eve is one of those days when most stores are still open, even if their hours look a little different than usual. So if something has been missed on your shopping list, chances are you’ll still be able to grab it before the countdown begins.
Let’s start with Walmart, since that’s usually the biggest question. Most Walmart stores are operating on their regular schedule on New Year’s Eve, which typically means doors are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time. In simple terms, it’s business as usual on December 31, making Walmart a reliable option for groceries, snacks, drinks, and last-minute household items. On New Year’s Day, Walmart stores are also expected to remain open, which is not the case for every major retailer.
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Other grocery stores are open on New Year’s Eve as well, though many are closing earlier than normal. Costco locations are open but usually shut their doors by early evening. Sam’s Club is open with extended access for Plus members, while Trader Joe’s is known to close much earlier, often by 5 p.m. Stores like Target, Publix, Wegmans, Whole Foods, and Lidl are welcoming shoppers on December 31 but are generally closing between 8 and 9 p.m. Aldi locations vary, so local hours are often recommended before heading out.
Retail shopping is also very much an option on New Year’s Eve. Big-name stores like Target, Kohl’s, Best Buy, Macy’s, and IKEA are open, though most of them are closing earlier in the evening. Home improvement stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s typically wrap up around 6 p.m., so those trips need to be planned a bit earlier in the day.
When New Year’s Day arrives, things change noticeably. Several warehouse clubs, including Costco, are closed entirely. Some grocery chains operate on reduced hours, while others stay open depending on location. Banks, the stock market, and postal services are closed for the holiday, although ATMs and mobile banking continue to work as normal.
Overall, New Year’s Eve remains one of the easiest holidays to shop on, especially for last-minute needs. With Walmart and many other stores staying open, the pressure is taken off just a bit, allowing the focus to shift back to celebrating, relaxing, and welcoming the new year.
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